Maungahuka Meanderings (16-18 August, 1963)

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* MAUNGAHUKA MEANDERINGS (16-18 August, 1963) Friday night and the usual crowd of to the weather man. But then he's never Tongue and Meats was gathered at the right anyway. The small patches of snow Railway Station ready for an attack on lying about were crisp and easy to walk the Southern Crossing Route. After a over and with the weather obviously slow trip in the Fields Express, unevent- clearing we really began to think we ful except for a minor take-over bid by were set for a fine weekend. a horde of giggling Girls' Life Brigaders, After a short stop at Kime for we reached Otaki, and patiently waited five of us said a fond farewell a brew, our turn for the taxi which would take "Southern Crossingers" and headed to the us to Roaring Meg Stream. along the Main Range, bound for the off Fields Hut was duly reached after Home of Vono, Maungahuga Hut. Dropthe usual grind and after a brew we were ping down off West Peak it was unaniall in our sacks, lulled to sleep by the mously agreed that we would not like to monotonous regularity of the sound of be going up there. On over Vasseler and other bods arriving at regular intervals. Boyd Wilson in now soft and slippery Away about seven o'clock and we snow. One member of the party is struck were plodding up to Kime. A slight by cramp. breeze had come and the mist which Suddenly evil-looking, had formed a Iitle earlier began to clouds had from nowhere queer-shaped and clear. A fine day again? Not according it seemed fairly appeared obvious that our fine day would be no longer. Would we go direction. We squelched on through the on or turn back. The thought of crawling rain, up and down, up and down until back up West Peak was enough to make we were on top of Concertina Knob even the bravest heart waver, so, Mau- itself. Taking the right hand spur, we ngahuga, here we come. The weather moved on down. At times the mist parted rapidly worsened and longs and leggings and we were able to view parts of the were shortly donned. Up over Yeates Hector River. After much sidling back and McIntosh in foul weather. Up over and forth and trying to keep on the spur the first of the Tararua peaks and we we arrived at the river and there reposing huddle in the saddle waiting our turn to on the opposite side of the somewhat swing down the chain. The wind screams flooded Hector was Neill Forks Hut. through the gap and it is almost more Good navigation or good luck. The river than we can bear to face into it. Two of was forded without difficulty and after us are so cold that we can hardly hold a short snack we were away again. on to the chain and try taking a quick "It only looks about half an hour way down by slipping off it. But we beat from here to Hector Forks, 1 quote the the Mist God (quote "Wide World") and admirable Yak. crawl on over the innumerable bumps "I reckon on an hour and a half," before Maungahuka and eventually quote the Ape. Maungahuka itself. Just over the top is However, three hours later, two river the hut, with the snow piled up around crossings, much scrambling up and it. Snow had forced the door open and down, sidling round, cursing and many had drifted in during previous storms. frayed tempers later we came across a However, a wet floor was but a minor beautiful round piece of tin painted discomfort compared to the magnificent bright orange. At long last-the Hector comfort of Vono mattresses. Dinner that River track. Another hour and a half night was a worthy affair but the fruit saw us at Totara Flats where we ate for salad was a little strange, being extra half an hour to fight off the food bonk sickly sweet and full of calories with a which had attacked us all. It was retin of raspberry jam and a tin of sweet- luctantly decided that we really ought to ened condensed milk for flavouring. try and get out that night, so at 5 o'clock Next morning the weather was no we set off again in the direction of Banbetter than before. The heavy rain had nister. By 8.30 p.m. we were comsoftened and melted a lot of the snow fortably settled in a taxi, only to learn and it was generally miserable. A deci- that we had missed the last train. Alternasion was made to go out via Concertina tives-sleep on Masterton Station and Knob, that being the easiest way (so we catch the first morning train. hitch-hike, thought). We duly set off, armed to the or take the taxi to Upper Hutt at the teeth against Hughie with all our storm cost of £7 10s. Od. To hell with the exgear on. It seemed to take a long time to pense. We duly arrived at Upper Hutt, reach the top of Maungahuka where the in style in our taxi, where we were met Concertina Knob turn-off was, and some by Beth Jeffries, an angel in disguise. of us also noted with some concern the However, the heavenly chariot was a bit apparent change in direction of the wind. cramped with six people and five packs, Much was our surprise when the two but it stood up to the strain admirably speed merchants in front stopped at what and we were eventually deposited at our loomed out of the mist as scrubbv beech respective houses close on midnight. trees. What the? Didn't you know? We've Those who beat the "Mist God" were been going towards Concertina Knob Bruce Jeffries, Peter Daniel, Margaret for the last half hour. Webb, Paul Green, and Gary Lund. Well that explained the change in wind MARGARET WEBB. *